Nevada Nurse Practitioner Certification

Nevada NPs are known as APNs. APNs are RNs who have obtained additional
education in an area of specialization and who have earned
certification in their field. Other types of APNs include clinical NPs,
nurse–midwives, and nurse psychotherapist. The Nevada State Board of Nursing regulates Nevada NPs.

NPs may practice in physician offices, clinics, hospitals, long-term
care facilities, managed care corporations, and private industries.
They may perform health histories and physical exams; order and
interpret diagnostic tests and labs; diagnose acute and chronic
diseases; and arrange management care plans. In addition, they may
prescribe medication and treatments, provide counseling and education
on lifestyle behaviors and self-care skills, and take part in research
projects.

In order to become a nurse practitioner in Nevada, you must hold a valid RN license
that allows you to practice in Nevada. In addition, you must complete a
designated APN preparatory program in an area of specialty. It must be
at least 1 academic year in length, including a minimum of 4 months of
classroom instruction and clinical experience with a licensed and
qualified physician or APN. Your program must be accredited or approved
by an organization approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing. It
must include coursework on the assessment of the health of patients,
pathophysiology, and preparation for practice as an advanced
practitioner of nursing. Coursework must also have at least one medical
specialty concentration and include clinical experience, so that you
can integrate the knowledge and skills you are learning.

If you wish to be eligible to prescribe medications, you must
take at least two semester credits of advanced pharmacotherapeutics.
These credits must be earned within the 24 months prior to applying for
prescribing privileges.

If you complete your APN program after 2005, you must have earned a
minimum of a MSN or a master’s in another related area of health care.
Those who completed their APN programs prior to 2005 do not need to
have a master’s degree, but they must ensure that they meet other
requirements. To find out more about these requirements, visit www.nursingboard.state.nv.us.

After you have completed your APN program, you are eligible to be
certified as an NP in your area of specialty. You must be certified by
a national professional certifying organization recognized by the
Nevada State Board of Nursing, such as the AANP. Once you have
completed your certification exam, you will be awarded Nevada’s
certificate of recognition and be able to use the title "Advanced
Practitioner of Nursing." In order to prescribe medications, you will
need to complete a separate application.

Nevada NPs earn an average of $85,000 per year. Salaries may
vary based on factors such as your location, place of employment,
experience, and specialization.